Washington University researchers find that kidneys donated from deceased COVID-19 patients are safe to transplant.
Initially, the pandemic contributed to a substantial decrease in organ transplants in general -- and kidney transplants led the way -- falling by 50% in the United States during the early months of the pandemic. Many kidneys from COVID-positive donors were discarded.
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But now, Wash U researchers say they have found that kidneys from organ donors who were diagnosed with COVID-19 are safe to transplant and don't transmit the virus to those who receive the organs.
They also found the COVID infected donor kidneys did not lead to longer hospital stays after transplant surgery or in delays with kidney function after the surgery.
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